Projects

Current Projects

Carbon Landscape Citizen Science (2017 - 2020)

This project, which is a key part of the larger Carbon Landscape Programme, is building upon existing survey work being undertaken across areas of Wigan, Salford and Warrington, in order to measure the success of restoration works being delivered by Carbon Landscape partners on the ground. Structured surveillance will be used to ensure survey results are comparable year on year. The surveys are being undertaken by volunteer Citizen Scientists. Visit the Citizen Science Project webpage for more information or to find out how to get involved.

Greater Manchester Biodiversity Project (2002 onwards)

The Greater Manchester Biodiversity Project is a partnership that includes the ten districts of Greater Manchester, as well as organisations such as, Natural England, the Environment Agency, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, United Utilities and the RSPB. The aim of the partnership is to bring together these individuals and organisations to conserve priority habitats and species in Greater Manchester, through the implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). The Greater Manchester Biodiversity Action Plans were reviewed in 2009 and you can view the updated versions on our website.

Natural Course (2015 - 2025)

78% of our rivers in North-west England are not considered healthy and many solutions are found to be too expensive to implement. Organisations from across North-west England are working together to seek cost-effective solutions to improving water quality across urban and rural landscapes, sharing best practice across the UK and Europe. Natural Course will build capacity to protect and improve our North-west water environment, now and for the future. Visit the Natural Course website for further information.

Recently Delivered Projects

From Grey to Green (2012 - 2015)

This project was setup to develop a wider public appreciation of the importance and value of the natural environment in Greater Manchester. Over the course of the project we encouraged and trained local people to identify and record the wildlife on their doorstep. The project operated across Manchester, Salford, Tameside and Wigan. We delivered over 600 activities and events including 13 bioblitzes. Over 2,700 people took part in the project and many of our current volunteers got involved with recording wildlife through the From Grey to Green Project. Download the final evaluation report for more information.

Grafting for Orchards (2013 - 2015)

The project aimed to rediscover, investigate, conserve and renew the lost orchards and apple varieties of Greater Manchester. Members of the public were asked to report the location of old fruit trees and old orchards and heritage orchard owners were offered assistance in managing old fruit trees and help identifying their apple varieties. The project team took cuttings from old fruit trees to grow on and preserve these for future generations and this was delivered sustainably by passing on traditional orchard management techniques. Download the final evaluation report for more information.

Structured Surveillance Pilot (2013 - 2014)

This was a pilot study to investigate the effectiveness of using volunteers to undertake multi-taxa structured surveillance of species across 10 ancient & semi natural woodland sites across Greater Manchester. The aim was to try and maximise the value of information provided by volunteer recorders through the establishment of comparable surveys, which over time which could be used to assess change and guide habitat management. At the end of the pilot recommendations and lessons learnt were passed back to Natural England and DEFRA for national consideration.

Brown Hare Project (2010 - 2012)

The brown hare has suffered a 75% decline in England since the 1960's . This project aimed to help brown hare in the region by systematically collecting hare distribution data to improve our understanding of the population within Greater Manchester, Merseyside and South Lancashire. During the course of the project around 300 volunteer surveyors were trained on brown hare ecology and surveillance techniques and around 420 transects were surveyed. Another key outcome of the project was the promotion to landowners of positive habitat management for local hare populations.